Three elegant vases, enamel’d with rose-coloured figures from Ovid, and enriched with gold. [£9 19s. 6d.]
One pair large dogs, enamel’d.
A desert-service, enamel’d with roses, festoons of green husks, and pink and gold border, consisting of 24 plates, 3 large oblong compotiers, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, and 4 small oblong ditto, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£13 2s. 6d.]
Six elegant ice cream cups, enamel’d with festoons of red husks, and fine blue and gold.
Two pair of large boys riding on dolphin and fawn, in biscuit.
One of these sale catalogues, at the risk of occupying much space, I here reprint entire, because I conceive nothing could more completely show the character of the goods, ornamental as well as useful, which at that time were the staple productions of the Derby works. It cannot, I opine, but be of immense use to collectors in assisting them to correctly appropriate and date their examples. The catalogue which I now reprint (one of several years in my possession) is of folio size, and occupies twelve pages. The selling prices are printed in the catalogue; the prices realised at the sale, however, were not, on the average, more than one-half the printed ones. The proceeds of the whole sale was £276 4s. It is of the year 1785. The title-page is as follows:—
“Four Months Promp.——CHINA, for SALE, by the CANDLE, at Mr. William Duesbury’s Warehouse, in Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, On Wednesday the 9th, and Thursday the 10th of March, 1785, at Six of the Clock in the Afternoon, A very good Assortment of Derby Figures and Candlesticks, compleat Tea and Desert Services, Caudle and Chocolate Cups, &c. of the newest and best Patterns. To be viewed on Monday and Tuesday, and ‘till the Time of Sale. To be Sold by Auction by WILLIAM HUNTER, Sworn Broker, No. 59, New Bond-Street.—Printed by Joseph Good, Stationer, &c., No. 79, Fleet Street.”
At the back of the title are the conditions, thus:—
“Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, March 9, 1785.—Conditions of the Sale.—I. The Goods are all to be taken away without any Allowance at the Buyer’s Expence, on or before the 14th day of March, 1785, and paid for on delivery.—II. Buyer’s Notes, approved of by the proprietor, will be taken payable four Months after date.—III. The Proprietor will allow a discount of 2½ per Cent. to those who chuse to pay ready money.—IV. Such goods as shall not be taken away as aforesaid, the Proprietor shall be at liberty to re-sell without further notice, either by public sale or private contract; and all losses attending such re-sale shall be made good by the respective Buyer or Buyers at this Sale.—V. If any dispute shall arise between any Bidders concerning any lot, such lot to be put up again.—VI. The Buyer to pay Six-pence per lot deposit, in order to bind the bargain, which is not returnable.”
Then follows:—